FA to look into allegation made against Leeds United defender

The Football Association has confirmed it will be investigating an allegation by Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome that he was racially abused by Leeds United’s Italian defender Giuseppe Bellusci during last night’s Sky Bet Championship game.

Jerome complained to referee Mark Clattenburg midway through the first half of the 1-1 draw at Carrow Road and the match official is to submit a report to the FA on the incident.

The referee halted the game following Jerome’s verbal clash with Bellusci, who signed for Leeds from Catania in August, and spoke to both managers on the touchline.

Jerome was booked for a challenge on Bellusci, but there were no further incidents between the two during the game.

The incident will be looked into further now with an FA spokesman saying: “I can confirm we are investigating this allegation.”

After the game Norwich manager Neil Adams said: “Cameron Jerome has alleged he was the subject of a racist remark. Because of that Mark Clattenburg, who I felt handled the incident very well, came over to the touchline to explain to Darko (Milanic) and myself what I have just told you.

“He spoke to Cameron because of the way he had reacted. That was what he explained to us. He spoke to the players at half-time with a representative from each club and statements have been made now.

“Mark will submit a report to the relevant authorities and it will be dealt with from there. He didn’t take any action at the time. He merely relayed what Cameron had said. It must now go through the proper channels. Bellusci is the player who has been alleged to have made the remark.”

Milanic could shed no further light on what was said, but confirmed he would be investigating the matter.

He added: “I have not spoken to my player yet – I will speak to him later.

“It’s difficult for me to comment on something I didn’t hear. This is all very new to me.”